Conservative Republican George W. Blanchard was born on January 26, 1884, in Colby, Wisconsin. After completing his high school education, he entered the University of Wisconsin, graduating with a B.A. in 1906. Blanchard taught briefly, then returned to school and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1910. Soon after graduation Blanchard settled in Edgerton, which was to remain his home throughout his legal and political career. From 1913 through 1931 he was Edgerton city attorney. In 1924 a long interest and activity in Republican politics led him to seek election to the Wisconsin Assembly. The people of his district promoted him to the State Senate in 1926; he was re-elected in 1930 without opposition. An excellent orator and a skillfull parliamentarian, Blanchard soon assumed floor leadership of the Stalwart Republicans. In 1925 his political influence was such that he was instrumental in the defeat of Governor John Blaine's tax package. By 1928 Blanchard was described as “the coming man” within his faction of the party, and he was widely urged by supporters to seek higher office.
Blanchard was a staunch conservationist and a director of the Izaak Walton League. This interest led to appointment as chairman in 1927 of the Interim Committee on Forestry and Public Land which carried out an important study of forestry in Wisconsin. Blanchard himself authored the important Forest Crop Law of 1927.
In 1931 he was an unsuccessful candidate against Thomas Amlie to fill the unexpired House of Representatives seat of Henry Allen Cooper. The following year he ousted Amlie in the regular election. However, after serving only one term Blanchard declined to run for re-election and returned to his law practice. In addition to his legal work, Blanchard was a director of the Tobacco Exchange Bank and was active in a host of local civic organizations. He died October 2, 1964 after a long illness. Blanchard was preceded in death by his four sons, one of whom (David Blanchard, [Whitewater Mss BB]) practiced law with him and also followed him to the Wisconsin Assembly.
